Hillard is fascinated by the physical and metaphorical construction of cloth and its relation to body, memory and space.
Her work combines weaving with photography, heat transfer printing and sound to produce multi-disciplinary installation works that explore the interface between traditional and new technologies.
Individual artworks and site-referential installations strive to evoke the sensual, material, aesthetic and emotional dimensions of place within interior spaces and natural environments.
Hillard has an interdisciplinary approach to her art practice, embracing both textile and non-textile materials and processes including digital and traditional hand weaving, print, photography as well as audio-visual technologies.
A recipient of the James Pantyfedwen Scholarship enabled her to undertake Postgraduate Studies in Australia between 2001 and 2007. She has been awarded several grants including the Arts Council of Wales, Creative Wales Award.
Hillard’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally and selected for the Valcellina Award, Italy; awarded First Prize in the International Textile Exhibition, Belgium; the International Textiles Biennial Scythia, Ukraine; and the Shell Fremantle Print Award, Australia.
Her work has also been awarded Excellent Honourable Mention for the 8th Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Korea and the 7th and 8th’ Lausanne to Beijing’ International Fiber Art Biennale by the China Craft & Art Association.
She has undertaken several site-referential installations and private commissions in partnership with the National Trust, Mission Gallery, Swansea and Aberglasney Trust, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Her work is included in the Lloyd Cotsen Textile Traces Collection, USA and the Fibre Art Collection of the City of Chieri, Italy.